Jetty and like structure



Oct. 7, 1952 c. WETS l-:T AL 2,612,753

y JETTY AND LIKE STRUCTURE Filed June 15, 1946 3 sheets-sheet 1 .mgm f6* f ya-infr:

@CL 7, 1952 c. wETs ET AL JETTY AND LIKE STRUCTURE Filed June l5, 1946 f7 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l ya .ll A

Carlos Wes I; Andr PADUART BY H/a/stne M L Co. RTroRNEYs UCL 7, w52 c. wETs ET AL JETTY AND LIKE STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June l5, 1946 Il ll Il ll l Il l1 l Il ll 5 TH R u K A 0 5 VT .f nm n n w. rw und zi am Hf E m s o Y. d J v. a w/ C IVM Il l Il Il Patented Oct. 7, 1952 2,612,758? JETTY ANDLKE STRUCTURE Carlos Wets and Andre Paduart, y Uccle-' B,1,1 xssels, Belgium Appiieanm June. 15; 194s, serial No. 677,006 i, In :Belgium J Illy 34,111,345:

The present invention. `concerns vjetties and similanstructures which in use are subjected to suddenv shocksof considerable dimension and. its

obiectisto reduce the damage arisingtherefrfom. In the oase of jetties vmarking the vaccess channels to ports and which are used forguidng and mooring vessels, it isessential that in the Acase, of

accidental collisions, the damage sustained by theI shpshouldbe :as small as possible and that re pairs tothe jetty can be made quickly and as in,v

expensivelyas possible. I

l0ClaimS (Cl. fil-4) without occasionnggserious ldamage to-the vessel and, moreover, concrete is of such fragility that the. slightest shock produces fissures Which are alwaysdangeroussrlce they favourlocaloxydisationo-f theyreinforcement. A jettyof concrete will therefore. necessitate frequent and costly repairs Hitherto, wooden jetmes yhave .answered ,this il double conditionbest. Indeed, the strength of the piles andtransoms made of Wood compared with thatA of the Ahull of theshipmwhich collides with them issuiciently small to ensure that the latter suffers ga-minimumof damage; moreover, thev force which such a jetty is capable of absorbing is sufcient to cancel the impulsive force of the vessel and vto Vbringit to ahalt rapidly; and finally, Wood is amaterial which it is easy to repair due to the ease Withlwhich it can be saWn and plut together. f

The advantages of using wood for the construction of jetties are, however, oiset by certain dis- Wood is ill-suited to a prolonged.

advantages. series of immersione and exposures andit is generally necessary to have recourse toexotic woods y of the eucalyptus familywhich are Veryexpensive although even these Woods are not immune from the attack of certain marine organisms leading-to a rapid deterioration of the structure. It follows, therefore, that` the costs of rconstruction and maintenance of a Wooden jetty are extremely t high.

Consideration has beenA given to the replace.-

mentl of Wood by other materials notably'-metal;y

and concrete, Metalhowever, is even lesssuited than Wood for the'constructio-n of jetties and similar structures. their vresistance isgreater so that considerable damage is occasioned to the vessel. In'addition;` the repair of a metallic jetty is more difiicult than that of a Wooden jetty since the Working ofthe steel requires more 4complicated equipment thanv is needed 'for wood. And finally, theupkeep to combat corrosion of metallic jetties is kvery con,-V siderable.`

In the case of reinforced `concrete, although this material satisfies the requirements of economy'of manufacture and normalupkeep, it isby nature stifand fragile and in no Way correspondstothe- Their elasticity is` less. while f qualities demanded'for a jetty4 For instance,v the elastic deformability, of a concrete structure is too slight to be able1 to absorb a shock of collision sinceit ysrould be necessary to carefully clean-the damagedparts. ,i y

The ,purposefof the presentinvention is to make it possible to ,utilise concretein the :construction of jettles,andmilaryvorks underconditions providingthe necessaryelasticityWhile retaining the inherenteQonomical advantagesy of concrete and obviating the disadvantages above mentioned.

For lthis purpose, the framework ofthe jetty or other structure according to the invention is. com

posed bfelementsof concrete, reinforced or other- Wise, prefabricated and placed along the edgesof adjacent paralleleppeds in contact and assembled preferably with means of connection 'at their extremities which prevents theirseparation through lateral: movement, these elements being connected together by means of metallic tieerods placed along the diagonals of theparallelepipeds or/ and alongv the projections of ,the diagonals on certain 0f their faces. and to. whichva slight Working -tension i-sapplied in order to suppress play or movement. In this. Way,V7 a. lframework is obtained formed by, Icompressed.concrete elements made stable and stayed by means of tie-rods. of the lack of rigidity of the parallelepipeds, each of the.- concrete elements is able to describe a slightrotationwith relationto the adjacent elemente and ,the Iframework can freely :follow the elongationl of the. tie-rods producedby horizontal forces applied to vthe jetty and thu-s is capable of considerable deformation.v f

The. tie rods are preferably of special steelyof great.. strength since the forces theyare capable `of yabsorbing-before breaking will be the greater,

the ygreater their elastic limit and, breaking load.

The working tensonwhich they receive being determined with vthe object of suppressing any play or movement .must be sufficient to ensure even after the shrinkage ofthe concrete., a suicient rigidity'of the construction;A this Workingtension however is not suiicently great to prevent the rods from having a. considerable available reserve of streng.th.

The deformability of thefstructure can be still further increased by the reduction of the surfaces of contact of theconcrete elementsqor bythe in troduction of convexfsurfaces inthe-connection of Vthese elements.

The resistingfsectionsof the concrete elements In lview v are established in such a way that, in the case of a shock sumciently powerful to produce damage to the jetty, it is always the tie-rods which yield thus reducing the damage to the concrete elements. Under these conditions, repairs can easily be carried out by simply replacing the broken tierods; in the case, however, in which a concrete element should be damaged, this element could easily be removed and replaced.

The accompanying drawing shows by way of V example a jetty constructed according to the invention. v

Figure 1 is a transverse section.

Figure 2 is a part side view.

junction connections by means of the special parts 4 which may be formed either. by independent connecting blocks which have suitable supporting surfaces for the horizontal and vertical beams I, 2, 3 or by extensions which are equivalent to I0, tenon and mortise joints II (Figure 4), grooves or any other similar arrangement. By adding to the frame a certain number of vertical, longitudinal or transverse tie-rods such as I2, Fig. 1, subjected to a pre-tension which corresponds approximately to their working tension,v it is possible to subject the concrete elements to a real pre-stressing and consequently to omit the reinforcements of these elements as well as the tenons and mortise joints intended to prevent their disengagement. It can be understood that the function of the tie-rods I2 is different from that of tie-rods 5 or 6 and that they do not participate directly in resisting shocks.

. prefabricated and connected'to each otherat the such blocks and are integral of one of the beams I, 2 or 3. Parts I, 2, 3 and 4 are connected by means of oblique tie-rods 5, 5' arranged in two by two in the diagonal planes of `the parallelepipeds comprising the framework (Figures l and 2). According to an alternative form shown in Figures 7 and 8 the tie-rods, shown in this case by 6 and 6 are placed in the diagonals of the transverse faces and in those of the horizontal faces of the parallepipeds. The tie-rods 5, 5' and 6, 6 can, of course, be used conjointly. In the case of certain elementshaving a wide span, it is possible to support them by means of intermediate supports I' as shown in Figurev 7.

The anchoring of the tie-rods 5, 5 or 6, 6 can be effected by meansrof joints 4 constructed in the form of elements pierced'by oblique holes to allow the passage of the tie-rods. Each of these holes terminates on one side at a perpendicular face acting as seating for a distributing plate 8, the tie-rods being held in position by nuts 'I bearing against the plates 8. As shown in Figure 4 rods 5, 5' must be slightly displaced in some direction with relation to the geometric diagonals of the parallelepipeds; both pairs of tie-rods may thus cross without meeting inthe interior of the parallelepipeds and theA blocks y4 thus assume an unsymmetrical appearance which is shown accentuated on the drawing. Tie-rodsr5, 5 and 6, 6 receive on assembly a slight tension sufficient to ensure the solidity of the elements composing the framework but not suilicient to ensure the solidity of the elements composing the framework but not sufficient to prevent the latter from being deformed elastically under the influence of a shock. The capacity of deformation can be increased by reducing the contact surface between blocks 4 and the adjacent elements I, for example, by providing blocks 4 with projections 9 in such a fashion that the joints are capable of behaving as articulations or by shaping the ends of elements I to form convex surfaces.

The engagement of the various elements of concrete can be carried out by means of-brackets The forces applied to the jetty can be transferred to the joints 4 by means of guide fenders I3 of wood fitted to the sides of the jetty and preventing direct contact between the concrete and the hull of the ship. The forces are divided according to the various elements of the framework and produce compressions in the concrete elements and tensions in the oblique tie-rods. These tensions produce considerable elongation of the tie-rods and consequently a large displacement of the point of application of the shock. This displacement before breaking is all the greater, the greater the elastic limit of the steel utilised. The section of the tie-rods and the kind of steel will naturally be selected in accordance with the size of the forces to be provided for. The force which the jetty is capable of absorbing before permanent deformation of the tie-rods takes place is a great deal greater (in general 50 times greater) than that which it is possible to absorb before the formation of fissures in the concrete by a jetty of the same dimensions constructed of ordinary reinforced concrete.

The framework generally rests on foundation piles I4 of Wood or concrete. The fixture is made in the following fashion: after trimming, the wooden piles I4 are traversed by two metallic rods I8 (Figure 5). The lower blocks 4 provided with temporary bars I9 are placed on the piles by means of adjusting wedges 20. The joint between the blocks 4 and the piles I4 is made by forming concrete blocks I5 lightly reinforced which surround the metallic rods I8 and the temporary rods I9. In the case of reinforced concrete piles (Figure 6) the head of the latter is cut off and its reinforcements 2| thus freed are embedded in the blocks I5.

The upper part of the jetty carries a platform I6 and railing I1 of elements pre-fabricated or moulded on the site.

The metallic tie-rods are protected against corrosion by a suitable covering such as coating, paint or a layer of 4bituminous material.

It is of course understood that modifications can be applied in accordance with requirements for carrying out the construction according to the invention.

We claim:

1. A concrete jetty and like structure, comprising a framework composed of prefabricated concrete beams and corner-bodies arranged to define adjoining parallelepipeds having their adjoining legs and corner-bodies in common, each set of adjacent ends of said beams freely bearing against one of said corner-bodies; elastic metal tie-rods extending diagonally in diagonal planes of said parallelepipeds, the two ends of each tie-rod being anchored to the corresponding diagonally opposed corner-bodies of the parallelepiped through which the tie-rod diagonally extends; said tie-rods having working tension applied thereto, thereby firmly pressing the beam-ends and corner bodies against each other while affording to the same the possibility of slightly tilting with relation to each other within the limits of the elasticity of the tie-rods under the action of horizontal stresses applied to the structure from the outside and means provided between adjacent faces of said beams and corner-bodies for preventing relative sliding of said faces.

2. A concrete jetty and like structure, comprising a framework composed of pre-fabricated concrete beams and corner-bodies arranged to define adjoining parallelepipeds having their adjoining legs and corner-bodies in common, each set of adjacent ends of said beams freely bearing against one of said corner bodies; elastic metal tie-rods extending diagonally in diagonal planes of said parallelepipeds, the two ends of each tierod being anchored to the corresponding diagonally opposed corner-bodies of the parallelepiped through which the tie-rod diagonally extends; other elastic metal tie-rods arranged along some of said beams and anchored to parallel beams; the tie-rods having working tension applied thereto, thereby firmly pressing the beam ends and corner bodies against each other while affording to the same the possibility of slightly tilting with relation to each other within the limits of the elasticity of the tie-rods under the action of horizontal stresses applied to the structure from the outside and means provided between adjacent faces of said beams and cornerbodies for preventing relative sliding of said faces.

3. A concrete jetty and like structure, comprising a framework composed of pre-fabricated concrete beams and corner-bodies arranged to denne adjoining parallelepipeds having their adjoining legs and corner-bodies in common, each set of adjacent ends of said beams freely bearing against one of said corner bodies; oblique holes in said corner bodies; means for uniting with each other said blocks and the adjoining beams; elastic tie-rods extending diagonally in diagonal planes of said parallelepipeds, the two ends of each of said tie-rods extending through said holes in the corresponding diagonally opposed corner-bodies of the parallelepiped through which the tie-rod diagonally extends, and being anchored to said corner-bodies and having working tension applied thereto, thereby firmly pressing the beamends and corner bodies against each other while affording to the same the possibility of slightly tilting with relation to each other within the limits of the elasticity of the tie-rods under the action of horizontal stresses applied to the structure from the outside and means provided between adjacent faces of said beams and cornerbodies for preventing relative sliding of said faces.

4. In a jetty and like structure according to claim 1, the corner-bodies having reduced bearing surfaces in contact with the adjacent beam ends.

5. The combination of a jetty or like structure according to claim 1, with foundation piles and connecting blocks of reinforced concrete for securing the framework to said foundation piles, reinforcements in the lower corner bodies of said framework and in said foundation piles, said connecting blocks enclosing each armatures of said lower corner bodies of the framework and armatures of one of said piles.

6. A concrete jetty and like structure, comprising a framework composed of pre-fabricated 6 concrete beams and corner-bodies arranged to define adjoining parallelepipeds having treir acljoining legs and corner-bodies in common, each set of adjacent ends of said beams freely bearing .against one of said corner-bodies; elastic metal faces and top-faces of said parallelepipeds, the s two ends of each of said other tie-rods being anchored to the corresponding diagonally opposed corner bodies of the structure; the tie-rods having working tension applied thereto, thereby firmly pressing the beam-ends and corner-bodies against each other while affording to the same possibility of slightly tilting with relation to eachother within the limits of the elasticity of the tie-rods under the action of horizontal stresses applied to the structure from the outside and means provided between adjacent faces of said beams and corner-bodies for preventing relative sliding of said faces.

7. A concrete jetty and like structure, comprising a framework composed of prefabricated concrete beams and corner-bodies arranged to denne adjoining parallelepipeds having their adjoining legs and corner-bodies in common, each set of adjacent ends of said beams freely bearing against one of said corner-bodies; elastic metal y tie-rods arranged along diagonals of said parallelepipeds, the two ends of each tie-rod being anchored to corresponding diagonally op-posed corner-bodies of the parallelepiped to which the tie-rod belongs; said tie-rods having working tension applied thereto, thereby firmly pressing the beam ends and corner bodies against each other while affording to the same the possibility of slightly tilting with relation to each other within the limits of the elasticity of the tie-rods under the action of horizontal stresses applied to the structure from the outside and means provided between adjacent faces of said beams and corner-bodies for preventing relative sliding of said' faces.

8. In a jetty and like structure according to claim l, said corner-bodies being constituted by individual blocks interposed between the corresponding adjacent ends of the beams of the structure.

9. In a jetty and like structure according to claim 1, said corner-bodies being constituted each by and extension of one of the corresponding adjacent ends of the beams of the structure.

10. In a jetty and like structure according to claim 1, said means provided between adjacent faces of the concrete beams and corner-bodies being constituted by a tenon tapering towards its ends and located within corresponding mortises provided within said adjacent faces.

CARLOS W'ETS. A. PADUART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 924,153 Elliott June 8, 1909 1,204,946 Collom Nov. 14, 1916 

